now what?

Where to begin?
Riding and the ideas that come from a steady cadence.
Each ride is a new idea, tangents streaming together,
not great enlightenment, but still satisfying.
Winter has set in.
Maybe it’s the miserable early morning,
or late night ride that draws out these thoughts.
As I try to bury the bite of the cold
with zen-like thoughts of the biking-life.
Insert winter zen-like tree.

Gary’s post, combined with the cold induced
trance from my morning commutes led me to several
realizations, Most noticeably, I have no self discipline.
None.
I own a trainer, don’t use it.
Can’t maintain any reasonable diet.
I have no patience for working out.
One day, maybe I’ll unroll that yoga mat,
and after awhile I’ll be able to move around
and NOT sound like someone pushing a hundred.
More cold, keep riding…
SO, I realized: if I owned a car, I probably wouldn’t
ride at all through the winter.
Or in the rain.
Or humidity.
Or when it was inconvenient (which is always).

I thought about the various times I had a road bike,
and how serious I wanted to be about it.
The magazines I read.
The races I followed.
I love it.
But I totally lack the discipline to make something
of it. So I make myself commute. To keep me riding.

Everyday,
for the last couple weeks, and months,
you sometimes don’t notice how much things have
changed until you can compare it side by side.
It’s not that this froze over in a day.
But you don’t see the incremental changes
every day.

I don’t see my hair retreating,
but I’m sure it’s happening,
and no,
I’m not posting head shots from a few years back
for comparison. I’m just gonna pretend it’s not happening,
So our cycling scene, our community, it’s changing.
It’s changing on a weekly basis.

Question is: How much of a role are YOU going to play?
How did Gary’s post raise this question?
Well, riding by this frozen pond everyday, after day,
two things kept popping up.

Breaking Away and Montreal.
What?

Well, Breaking Away is a movie. And the funny thing is I actually had
put on the always “back burner” the idea of renting out a
theatre and showing that movie. I just feel movie are
better in the theater. But that’s a big commitment and
ALOT of effort.

Montreal? Bike races! If I can plan a trip to one of my
favorite cities AND just happen to be there during a race?
Well, family trips require planning. Of course my ulterior
motive for going to Montreal are now discovered. But do
you go to Quebec and Montreal in September, or May?

And you know what May is right?
Come on!
It’s BIKE MONTH!
So that’s a busy month.
And the planning starts now.
And it’s not even 2010 yet!

This last Bike Month I rented out the Madison Theater to
show VEER.
That was alot of work for one person, with very little pay
out. And that wasn’t a money payout at all.
I just didn’t loose money.

Our other project or undertaking:
Foster dogs for two different rescues.
So there’s always a dog or three around.
With the holidays, and kids, and work?
I quickly start pencilling in dates and ideas.
With no thought yet to how much I may have to commit
with each event. And the possibilities start swirling in my mind.

If I build it, they will come.
And the cycling scene will be that much better for it.
At least I think it will be.
But who will come out?
For so many ‘cyclists’ in the area,
the turn outs to events are pretty poor.

But maybe the majority of cyclists here don’t care?
Is that it?

Anyways, there’s alot to think about.
But the question I pose to you is (again):
How much are you willing to contribute?
Are you willing to get out in May for Bike Month?
Would you pay $5 to see a cycling movie in a local theater?

OK, one other question. And I’m not going into that ‘rules of
the road’ debate. Just a ‘what would you do?’ or what have
you done in the past?
If, as a cyclist, you’re supposed to abide by the rules
of the road, do you pull up behind a bumper and
wait for twenty minutes in 20 degree weather? (I did not).

Actually, I laughed at this scenario unfolding, as the van
tried to pass people, then tried to cut into line, blocking
traffic even more. I waited it out for a minute, then slipped
right out of there. It may have been cold, but I was home
before most cars were out of the parking lot. One of the truly
satisfying times commuting. Passing traffic.

Now on to my original post, obviously shortened now.

GO SHOW LOVE TO YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP.
Ask for a gift certificate from there, make out that
WANT/NEED list and send someone in for those goodies!

Or order a pizza for the guys.
When you stop in, bring a coffee.
Of course I’ve just set the bar for myself with that
comment. But truly the local shops support the local
cycling scene and YOU! Acknowledge that and give back.
Nothing is worse then listening to someone talk
endlessly about all the mail order they’ve done.
Seriously?
Do the guys at your shop know you when you walk in?
Loyalty and service is a two way street.
Sure,they may not have that random part in the case,
but they can order it in for you. And install it. Or show
YOU how to install it.

With this you’re building a relationship!
One that may last decades.
One that may save you when you’re in a bind or in a hurry
Again, the local shop supports you as you support them,
the mail order place? The loss of your business is of little
consequence to them.
How many people just walk by this?
“I don’t get it”.

Stop by your shop, pick up some tubes, drop off some
cookies, and then get yourself out on the road!
Enjoy your Holidays!

2 Responses

@Bob – I’ll make your decison on when to go to Montreal easier (or maybe more difficult). If you just gotta see the Pro Tour men, it’s September. But the week after the Women’s World Cup is a 3 day stage race for most of the same women AND the Montreal Bike Fest (http://www.velo.qc.ca/feria/index_e.php).